Grammar and learning difficulties
 

Also- as I'm returning back to work, I've noticed how 'dumb' I feel. I used to pride myself on how smart I was and on my ability to write and be grammatically correct and now I mis-spell words often. Use incorrect punctuation, switch words like their there and they're, and can not find awesome big words anymore to use. I feel like I am getting dumber .... Any suggestions and does anyone else feel this way as well?

I have the same thing
 

I am not back at work, but going through the same thing. Writing used to come naturally and just flow but now it is so clunky and I can't remember when to use what punctuation and for some reason its and it's baffle me to no end even though I know the difference. Just like you, the fancy big words are not coming to me either like before. Maybe we just have to relearn and practice for awhile? That's what I keep wondering. I know what I type is a lot better than a year ago..

Same boat here, some have told me its because of being out of practice and it should come back. I feel the same way especially when it comes to Vocabulary. The words are there I just cannot seem to fit them in as fluidly as I would before and will often replace them with a "dumbed" down version. Frustration could certainly play a part to as it puts up another hurdle.

I have similar difficulties. I do extensive editing and proofreading.

Regarding its and it's. Rather than memorizing the rule, I think of it as, one word or two. 'its' is one word. Just the possessive form of it, no apostrophe. it's is a contraction of 'it' and 'is', two words. An apostrophe is used to separate them. Once I started thinking of it in these terms, I resolved that problem.

I also rely on spell check. It usually helps. Check out amitriptyline. My spell checker tries to suggest a strange correction.

Amitriptyline - hmm- my spell checked must have recently added this one in there! I do say, spell check has not helped me because I use it as a crutch rather than trying to figure out the spelling on my own! I bet 8th graders have a better vocab than I do right now haha!

I think it's true- practice again. Keep trying to slow down as well and practice just as I would if I were learning a new language. It to does get rather frustrating!

Yesterday at work I noticed a part missing from one of my planes (a panel fastener so it wasn't dangerous) so I thought I would take care of it instead of troubling my mechanic.

I couldn't remember how to install it so I thought I would get online to see if there was something there. I couldn't remember what it was called! I had to humble myself and go have the mechanic refresh my memory.

At least I remember it today!

Bud

And humility sometimes is your best friend these days!